British lawmaker suspended over ‘Islamophobic’ comments
London, UK - Britain's ruling Conservatives on Saturday suspended their former deputy chairman from the parliamentary party, after he refused to...
Geostrategy
WHO registers eighty percent rise in measles case
Geneva, Switzerland - The World Health Organization voiced alarm on Tuesday at the rapid spread of measles, with more than 306,000...
Geostrategy
Geostrategy
Iran’s uranium pool exceeds nuclear deal limit: UN nuclear watchdog
The International Atomic Energy Agency said in its latest report on Iran's nuclear program that it "estimated that, as of...
- The report also says that Iran is continuing its enrichment of uranium to levels higher than the 3.67 percent limit in the deal.
- Enrichment levels of around 90 percent are required for use in a nuclear weapon. Iran has always insisted its nuclear program is peaceful.
Geostrategy
Egypt court jails ex-presidential candidate for 15 years
An Egyptian emergency court on Sunday sentenced former presidential candidate Abdelmoneim Aboul Fotouh to 15 years in prison for "spreading...
- Aboul Fotouh has been in detention since 2018 and his trial began last November
- Aboul Fotouh's assets have been frozen since he was arrested and added to the state's terror list for "leading a terrorist organization"
Economy
Russia to pay overseas debt in rubles as US exemption ends
Russia said Wednesday that it will start paying its foreign debt in rubles after the United States ended an exemption...
- Punishing Western sanctions on Russia have largely severed the country from the international financial system.
- Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the current situation was "artificially created by an unfriendly country".
Business
Sanctions hit Russia, Iran to boost cooperation in energy and trade
Tehran and Moscow are seeking to expand cooperation in energy and trade, officials said Wednesday, as Russian Deputy Prime Minister...
- Both countries have huge oil and gas reserves but are constrained by sanctions imposed by the West.
- The two countries vowed to increase the use of their national currencies in their trade exchange.
Geostrategy
Aggrieved workers drop lawsuit against Bangladeshi Nobel laureate
More than 100 lawsuits had been filed against GT by workers, along with three contempt-of-court charges against Yunus and another...
- Grameen Telecom (GT) and its senior managers were sued by workers who claimed the company had unfairly deprived them of profit shares.
- Lawyers for GT proposed the settlement after workers lodged an application to dissolve the company in the country's High Court.
Economy
Saudi Arabia to form national land alliance: Minister at GLF
The forum will discuss issues like land decentralization, climate crisis, youth and land-based opportunities in rural areas, and building partnerships.
- The Saudi agriculture minister Khaled Hneifat was speaking at the 9th triannual four day Global Land Forum.
- The forum is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, the SEEDS Jordanian youth organization and the EU.
Economy
Global issues slowing down labor market recovery: ILO
Labor incomes have not yet recovered for the majority of workers. In 2021, three in five workers lived in countries...
- The sharp rise in vacancies in advanced economies led to a tightening of labor markets with a growing number of jobs available relative to job seekers.
- But, it dropped in Q1 2022 to 3.8 percent below pre crisis benchmark (Q4 2019), amounting to a deficit of 112 million full-time jobs.
Economy
Sri Lanka inflation hit seventh consecutive record high in April
Hammered by a foreign exchange crisis, the country's 22 million people have been enduring acute shortages of essentials.
- National Consumer Price Index rose 33.8 percent year-on-year in April, more than six times the 5.5 percent inflation in 2021.
- Inflation is likely to rise further in May as fuel price hikes of 35 percent for petrol and 65 percent for diesel.
Geostrategy
Zelensky tells Davos: Send us weapons, stop Russia trade
Appearing by video link, Zelensky delivered the headline speech to the first World Economic Forum to be held in the...
- Russian business and political leaders, who used to participate in debates and mingle with other A-listers at champagne parties, were barred by organisers from attending this year.
- While the United States, Britain and Canada have moved to ban Russian oil and gas, the European Union has been divided over imposing similar measures.
Geostrategy
France sees no EU entry for Ukraine before ’15 or 20 years’
A bid by Ukraine to join the European Union would not be finalized for "15 or 20 years," France's Europe...
- President Zelensky on Saturday insisted on an immediate start of the process towards full EU membership.
- Some EU leaders share France's skepticism about a rapid acceptance of Ukraine's membership bid.
British lawmaker suspended over ‘Islamophobic’ comments
London, UK - Britain's ruling Conservatives on Saturday suspended their former deputy chairman from the parliamentary party, after he refused to...
Geostrategy
Company News
DUBAL, Oriental Copper ink MoU
Business
Latest News
1bn tons of food wasted every year while 783m people face hunger: FAO
Rome, Italy - The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Environment Program (UNEP) said one billion tons...
Geostrategy
Politicians fail to understand scientific facts of climate, says expert
PARIS, FRANCE - Wavering ambition by governments and a growing belief that science is politically subjective are great causes for concern...
Science
Israel sells Arrow 3 missile defense system to Germany for US$3.5bn
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - Israel's US$3.5-billion sale of its Arrow 3 missile defense system to Germany, sparked by security fears after...
Geostrategy
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Science
Antarctic sea ice hits lowest winter maximum on record, says data
WASHINGTON, US - The sea ice around Antarctica likely had a record low surface area when it was at its maximum...
- The ice pack typically reaches its largest size during the colder winter months, so the September 10 reading will likely remain this year's maximum.
- At its high-point this year, the sea ice was 1.03 million square kilometers smaller than the previous record.
Business
Rising demand for critical metals pose dilemmas for investors
PARIS, FRANCE - Soaring demand for the raw materials needed for the transition towards renewable energy is creating dilemmas for investors...
- Demand for lithium, an essential component of car batteries, could increase ninefold between 2022 and 2050, said the International Energy Agency.
- Lithium and other metals that the IEA calls “key to the clean energy transition” will be the topic of a summit hosted by the global energy watchdog in Paris.
Business
IsDBI, BIBF join hands to enhance global Islamic finance expertise
MANAMA, BAHRAIN - The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) and the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) have decided...
- The programs cater to professionals from financial institutions, regulatory bodies, supervisory authorities and legal experts.
- This partnership between IsDBI, BIBF focuses on elevating the industry, forging international connections, and nurturing talent on a global scale.